Page 2 of The Donor’s Dilemma

Verity whipped her bedroom door open, catching her mum mid-knock.

“I’m not a teenager, you know,” she said, pulling on a woolly jumper. “I don’t need a wake-up call.”

“Well,” her mum pouted, “I just don’t want to be late, and thought you might appreciate a lift into town.”

She would appreciate the lift. Buses were a nightmare at Yule, and with the bonfires being lit in an hour they were already late.

By the time they arrived, the sun was but a glimmer on the high-rise windows that circle the ancient city centre and the market square bustled with people. Humans now; but vampires would join them soon enough. Dancers and singers, local craftsmen and bakers filled the dusk air with music and sweet cinnamon. It was everything Verity remembered from her childhood in Ashhaven, including Cora who wove through the crowd towards them.

“Hey, babe,” she called, pulling Verity into a hug. “How’s it going, Debs?” she asked, grabbing Verity’s mum.

After being best friends throughout childhood, Cora and Verity went years without so much as a hello, but the second she moved back home, she was the first person to come knocking. Barely five minutes of awkwardness passed before Cora started ripping Verity for her enduring love of boy bands, and they fell into the familiar groove of true friendship.

“I’m very well, thank you, love. Is the cafe not open tonight?” Debbie asked.

“Naa, there’s no point. Everyone’s here, I’ll just be sat on me lonesome being bored,” Cora grinned, tugging on Verity’s hand. “Wanna check the stands out? Jen from school makes bottle openers in the shapes of dicks.”

“Cora!” Verity turned to her mum who grimaced.

“You girls have fun,” she said, averting her eyes from the pair, before waving to someone in the crowd and wandering off.

Cora linked arms with Verity and dragged her through the throng.

“If you’ve got a picture, she does commissions,” Cora went on.

“What?”

“A nice cock,” she said, ignoring the startled looks of strangers they passed. “Or maybe a romantic present for a boyfriend, or…”

“For Phoenar’s fucking sake, Cora. That’s gross!”

“No, it isn’t. I got one for Toby. He loved it.”

Verity couldn’t help but laugh. If one thing had saved her these past months, it was Cora. Even if she did make her want to die of embarrassment at times.

Before long they stood in front of a stall displaying impressively detailed wooden penises, each acting as the handle for a bottle opener. Cora must have touched every single one of them while Verity stared in mortification before moving on to the next stall.

The moment the last rays of sun departed, the bonfire roared to life, bathing the square in flickering gold. It had always been Verity’s favourite part, when light danced across the grey marble of the town hall, as if even the imposing building, towering over the square, couldn’t help but join in the festivities. One by one, lights blinked on in shop windows and from strings hanging between stalls, until the town itself glowed. A joyous beacon welcoming the longest night and the new year to come.

The duo drank cups of steaming spiced wine as they watched the dancers and listened to choirs, harmonies weaving between the crackling fire while Cora filled Verity in on every ounce of gossip she could muster. Until a woman stepped in front of them.

“Would you ladies like to make some extra money?” she asked, and Verity was immediately listening.

Since returning home, she had hoped things would get easier, but nothing changed. After applying for every job under the moon, not one person had offered her an interview, not even a phone call. It was as if the world had been told not to touch her.

The woman smiled at Verity, sensing her ears pricking, but Cora grabbed her arm. “We’re good, thanks,” she said, but Verity didn’t budge.

She looked at the stall and… fuck.

The Vital Exchange.

“Err…” The moment of faltering was all the woman needed.

“We’re running a recruitment drive for new donors at the minute, with welcome bonuses and retention rewards.”

“Must be desperate,” Cora commented, jaw clenched.

“Not desperate,” the woman said with a moonlight smile. “We just like our donors to feel appreciated. Do you have another job?” she asked Verity.